A possible virus aetiology in outbreaks of food-poisoning from cockles.

In a series of outbreaks of food-poisoning associated with the consumption of cockles, no bacterial pathogens were demonstrable either in faeces of patients or in cockles. However, small round virus-like particles have been detected in a high proportion of the faecal specimens in three of the outbreaks. These particles are similar in size, morphological features and density to particles seen in outbreaks of winter vomiting and non-bacterial gastroenteritis although in preliminary tests they are serologically distinctive.